Get a free weekly friendship call. We'll match you with one of our volunteers. Our service is flexible to suit the different needs of everyone who takes part. Last year, over 10 million people trusted us to help them with some of the biggest issues in their lives. Learn more about how we help. Here's how, with your support, Age UK is supporting older people through the cost of living crisis. The Equality Act is a law which protects you from discrimination. It means that discrimination or unfair treatment on the basis of certain personal characteristics, such as age, is now against the law in almost all cases. This is when you’re treated less favourably because of a protected characteristic; for example, if your local gym refuses to give you a membership because of your age. This is when a good or service has criteria which have the effect of being discriminatory against a person because of a protected characteristic like their age. For example, if you can pay for an item in instalments but only if you are working, this would disadvantage retired people. This is when you experience behaviour that makes you feel intimidated, humiliated, or degraded, or that creates a hostile environment. For example, if a nurse repeatedly makes offensive jokes about your age. This also applies to comments or jokes made about someone you associate with, such as a partner. This is when you are treated unfairly as a result of making a complaint about discrimination or giving evidence when someone else makes a complaint. As well as the above, the Equality Act also means that public bodies, such as local authorities, hospital trusts and police authorities now have to prevent discrimination. This is called the Public Sector Equality Duty. Download our factsheet about Equality, discrimination and the Public Sector Equality Duty. Age discrimination can be legal under certain circumstances. The Equality Act allows for age discrimination when it can be ‘objectively justified’. That means the employer or service provider must show that they have a good reason for discriminating on the basis of age. Step two: Send in details of your complaint, what happened, and when. Make it clear that you are complaining about age discrimination. It can also help to suggest solutions, for example, if you want an apology or the person responsible to be retrained. Contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service for advice if you have experienced discrimination. For more information call the Age UK Advice Line on 0800 678 1602.We’re open 8am to 7pm, every day of the year.